3 LA Hikes To Abandoned Ruins

Nuclear war escape tunnels, 127 year old mines, and abandoned zoos. This is what the LA mountains have to offer.

People have come and gone, but the remains of what they left behind can still be seen today. If you consider yourself an adventurer, we’ve got three abandoned places you can hike to this weekend.

Let’s jump right to it!

Shoemaker Canyon Road

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 5 miles

Elevation Gain: 1404 ft

While in the midst of the Cold War,, Los Angelinos feared a nuclear attack from the Soviets. Because there’s only so many exits out of Socal, they decided to build a road through the San Gabriel Mountains. This road is now known as Shoemaker Canyon Rd, named after the Shoemaker Mine.

The road weaves its way through precipitous mountain cliffs, abandoned bee farms, and of course two long tunnels. Construction on the tunnels began in 1956 and was completed in 1964. The project was permanently shut down in 1969 after conservationists and a limited budget dealt the final blow.

Although the tunnels remain a relic of an eerie past, they’ve become a popular hiking destination.

Two bonus drainage tunnels underneath the road add to the excitement, and the parking lot itself boasts a viewpoint of the San Gabriel River and Heaton Flats 500 feet below.

I highly suggest hiking to the tunnels in the spring, fall, or winter. If you visit in the summer, take plenty of water and a hat as there is no shade aside from the two tunnels.

You can also extend the trail by hiking up to Rattlesnake Peak via the same trailhead as Shoemaker.

Old LA Zoo

Distance: 2.5 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 383 ft

Built in 1912, the Old LA Zoo housed about 15 animals, some of which included bears, bobcats, ostriches, and monkeys. By 1949, the zoo was home to over 1000 animals. However, all was not well.

The zoo was running on an extremely limited budget from the start. Cages were crowded, and some animals lived in less than ideal living conditions.

In 1958 a rally to increase the zoo’s budget was initiated, and in 1966, the Old LA Zoo was abandoned with the opening of the new LA Zoo we all know and love.

You can still explore the spooky Old LA Zoo, which has become a popular hiking destination, especially near Halloween season.

Multiple structures lay side by side in the woodsy hills of Griffith Park, the most iconic being the old polar bear cages. The easy hike consists of a dirt road that boasts amazing views of the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forest.

If you visit on a weekend, you can ride the ferris wheel at the trailhead which was built in 1926 and was the inspiration for Walt’s Disneyland!

Big Horn Mine

Distance: 4 Miles

Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 587 ft

The Big Horn Mine was founded in 1895 by Charles Vincent Dougherty (later known as Charles Tom Vincent after killing 3 men in Arizona and fleeing the state) while hunting for bighorn sheep.

The hike begins at Vincent’s Gap and proceeds via a single track crowded by tall pine trees and breathtaking views of Mount San Antonio. Be very careful if you visit shortly after a snowfall as there are certain sections on the trail that get very narrow. Should you slip it’ll be a long way down.

Once you arrive at the mine, you’ll notice the remains of what used to be the building. You can venture inside the structure, but the real fun is inside the mine. The portal (entrance) is located near the back of the building.

Inside the mine, tunnels split into different directions, huge pits litter the area, and the only thing you can hear is the sound of droplets falling from the ceiling. There’s a lake inside the mountain, but you can only see a small portion as the rest of the lake disappears into another adit (tunnel).

When heading back to the trailhead, don’t forget to take a detour and visit Vincent’s cabin which still stands today! Vincent lived by himself in that tiny cabin located about a mile away from the mine.

Date Ideas That Are Fun, Easy, and Within Your Budget

 

Sometimes, it can be difficult deciding where you want to go on a date. Problems such as budgeting issues can arise. These are some ideas for things you can do when it’s time for you to go on a date. These activities will be well within your budget so that you can have fun with your mate without breaking yourself.

1. Double-Feature Movie

Theater movies are a pretty traditional date idea. Doing this will allow you to sit near your new date and enjoy the fear, laughter or drama of watching a new movie together. You’ll also get to enjoy some tasty popcorn and drinks if you choose to indulge. Movie tickets cost about $12 per ticket for adults. However, you can get a discount if you join a membership club or you’re a senior citizen. It might be worth it to partake in this wallet-friendly adventure.

2. Restaurant With Patio Dining

Visiting a restaurant might be a good idea if you’re a food buff, and you want to go someplace where the noise level isn’t too bad. That way, the two of you can get to learn more about each other while you’re enjoying a delicious and interesting meal. You may want to look for a restaurant with an outside patio where you and your date can escape and chat with each other. You’ll get a little vitamin D and sunlight, and you’ll get the chance to get a good look at each other, as well.

3. Bumper Cars or Go-Karts

Bumper cars or go-karts are a great inexpensive date idea if you and your date are the adventurous and playful type. You can find an adventure park that offers single go-kart rides or all-day passes. Doing such an activity will give you a dose of nostalgia, and your adrenaline might pump a little bit, as well. Everyone loves to ride motorized vehicles and bang into other people in the process. Furthermore, laughter is the perfect element to spice up a date. You’ll get plenty of laughs riding around in go-karts or bumper cars.

4. Camping

Another idea for a first date is a camping trip at one of the Utah State Park campsites or your particular locale. Camping will be great for you if you’re a fan of nature and minimalism. It will give the two of you quite a bit of quiet togetherness time. You can talk and share stories over a campfire and cozy up in a little tent if you so desire. There will be no distractions from the outside world either. You might just fall in love with the experience. Think about investing in making some reservations at one of these campsites. You won’t regret it.

5. Random Train Ride

If you want to make your date unique, you might consider going on a random train ride with your new love interest. The two of you can pick a destination and then get on the train together for the long haul. There will be a lot of time to communicate with each other as you ease your way to the desired destination. The best thing about the train ride is that you can choose to go anywhere your heart desires. You can take the train to any state in the country. You just have to decide whether you want your train ride to be long or short.

6. Planetarium Stargazing

The planetarium is a sweet idea if you and your date are dreamers. You can visit a local planetarium and view all the beauties in the sky. It’s a very romantic setting for a date, whether it’s the first date or one of the subsequent ones. Ticket prices shouldn’t be too expensive, and the adventure will be private and quiet.

 

Deciding where you want to go requires you to spend some time talking to your date about his or her interests and hobbies. You’ll figure out what’s right for the both of you once you do that, and you’ll pick a great destination.

Choose Your Date Adventure Today

Those are just a few ideas for you if you’re not quite sure where you want to go. They are budget-friendly activities that you and your date will probably love. Have fun and remember that love is always in the air.

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About The Author

Rayanne Morriss is currently working towards her BA from Oregon State University. She loves to write, read, travel, and paint. She enjoys finding new coffee shops with friends and expanding her cooking skills with her husband.

How to Set Up the Perfect Spring Bonfire

 

It’s finally spring! With the warmer weather and the later evenings, it’s time to get outside and enjoy it all. What better way to kick off the spring season than with a bonfire?

 

Bonfires are a great way to gather friends and family together for a fun-filled night with food, games, relaxation and conversation by the fire. Plus, since this activity is outside, it’s easier to follow social distancing guidelines and stay safe and healthy.

 

For this article’s purpose, you’ll learn how to set up the perfect spring bonfire, planning and guests included for a seasonal bash.

Choose a Theme

One of the advantages of planning a bonfire is that you can keep it simple with a few backyard games and traditional campfire foods, or kick it up a notch and make it a themed event! Spruce up your backyard with spring florals, or bring the beach to your backyard with some tiki torches. 

 

Here are some other great bonfire themes for your spring bonfire: 

 

● Brunch By the Bonfire
● Glow in the Dark
● Easter
● Farewell to Winter
● Camping or Glamping
● Adults Only

 

Choose a theme that your guests will love and enjoy. As long as there are food and a bonfire, everyone will have a great time at your event. Once you choose a theme, you can pick a location like your backyard or a campsite and send out invitations to your guests. Ensure you follow any rules and regulations if you choose to have your bonfire at a rented camp.

Gather These Must-Have Items

There are some things that you need for a bonfire. Of course, you need a fire. Besides the obvious, here are some other items to include in your list of things to purchase or gather:

● Seating: You need to make sure that you have something for your guests to sit on or have them bring their own camping chair. You can rent chairs for an evening or even set out blankets for guests to sit on.
● Beverages, Ice and a Cooler: Keep your guests hydrated all night long. Make sure you have plenty of water and other choices as well. For an adult evening, you can add in alcoholic drinks, but make sure there are plenty of non-alcoholic beverages as well.
● Food: Whether you choose food to match a theme, have traditional bonfire foods or have a potluck, let your guests leave with full stomachs. 
● Marshmallow Skewers: What’s a bonfire without roasting some marshmallows? While this isn’t necessary, most guests will likely expect it! 
● Tables: Guests will need a place to set items, and you’ll need a place to put all of the food. A few folding tables or picnic tables will work fine. Put some inexpensive tablecloths over them to keep them from getting dirty. 
● Light: A bonfire happens at night — ensure there’s plenty of light so people can maneuver around your space.
● Extra Wood: Make sure you have plenty of firewood to last you all evening. The firewood you get should be from a local area to ensure you don’t bring any invasive species into your backyard.
● Silverware and Plates: Unless you can eat all of your foods with your hands, you’ll need some silverware and plates, as well as napkins.
● Trash Bags: You certainly don’t want to have to clean up the morning after your bonfire, so put out plenty of trash bags and cans for your guests to throw away their garbage.
● Bug Repellent: With spring comes warm weather. With warm weather comes insects. Prevent painful and annoying bug bites by getting some repellent for your guests.

 

You might think of other items to gather for your bonfire, but this list provides a good start for your bonfire essentials.

Set Up and Build the Fire (Or Have Someone Do It For You!)

Before your guests arrive, you want to get your bonfire going so it’s warm and roaring when people begin to get there. If you don’t know much about building fires, find a friend or neighbor who knows how to build a fire safely. They can help you build, maintain and extinguish your fire at the end of the evening. If you do know how to build a fire, then great!

 

Some hosts may want to be able to relax the whole evening and enjoy company with friends and family. If that’s your style, consider hiring a fire butler service. These services are designed to send a crew to deliver and set up a fire ring and maintain a fire all evening without you having to lift a finger or a log.

Enjoy Your Spring Bonfire

Whether you choose to have a relaxing night by the fire or a whole party with yard games and music, a bonfire is a perfect way to start the spring season. Besides having fun, the most essential part is to remember fire safety so everyone can enjoy the night comfortably. 

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About The Author

Oscar Collins is the managing editor at Modded. He writes about cars, fitness, the outdoors, and more. Follow @TModded on Twitter for more articles from the Modded team.
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